Stuart police seek help identifying suspect in Walmart theft

Police are looking for help identifying a woman believed to have stolen about $8,500 in merchandise from Walmart.

STUART -- Police are looking for help identifying a woman believed to have stolen about $8,500 in merchandise from Walmart.

On Feb. 7, police were contacted by the Walmart at 4001 S.E. Federal Highway, Stuart, reporting a theft that happened early that morning, said Officer Brian Bossio, Stuart police spokesman.

Store personnel gave police a video showing a woman enter the store and go to the electronics section at 1:20 a.m., Bossio said. The video showed the woman circling the cellphone display area, then breaking open a cabinet and taking several smartphones worth a total of about $8,500 when no associates were in the area, Bossio said.

The woman hid the phones in her purse and left the area in a dark colored SUV, possibly a Kia or Ford, Bossio said.

The woman is described as 30 to 40 years old, wearing a black and white striped dress and having long, braided hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Stuart police Detective Nick Briglia at 772-220-3943 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers and at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477).